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Dear DHS staff, students, and families,
As you are well aware, our school community is grappling with devastation from the violence, loss of life and humanitarian crisis abroad. And, sadly, we also worry about the spread of hate and safety concerns as the war unfolds. My heart is heavy alongside our families during this incredibly difficult time.
What makes our school community so special is the way we come together to support one another in times of need. As a community, we denounce hate and work to curtail misinformation. Not surprisingly, our students are at the forefront of this work, engaging in incredibly thoughtful discussions in their classrooms and looking for ways to make a difference during this challenging time. I am so proud of who we are as a community.
Of course, we know that everyone is dealing with this in different ways. As a reminder, counseling services remain available to all students when they require additional support. Students can access their school counselor by emailing them, scheduling an appointment, or visiting their counselor during drop-in hours. If a student is in crisis or needs immediate support during the school day, that student should visit the counseling center.
The National Association of School Psychologists has provided an excellent resource to support youth affected by the violence in Israel and Gaza. Some important ways caregivers can help are: reaffirm safety, make time to talk and check-in, acknowledge and normalize feelings, maintain a normal routine, limit and/or monitor exposure to media and social media, keep aware of emotional states, know the signs of more serious trauma reactions, and teach and model adaptive coping strategies. For more detailed information about these steps, please visit the NASP’s Supporting Youth Affected by the Violence in Israel and Gaza: Tips for Families and Educators.
As was communicated recently by the District, please also be aware that we will continue to prioritize the safety and security of our students at Deerfield High School. We are grateful for our school security team and collaboration with local law enforcement, who work to secure our campus on a daily basis. We continue to stress the importance of anyone in our DHS community to come forward to report a concern as soon as possible. As a reminder, “See Something, Say Something” by reporting to school officials or through the D113 Tip Line. If you have an urgent concern, call 911 immediately.
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